Known Expenses Aren’t ‘Surprises’

A concerned citizen wasn’t able to speak at the August 19 El Cerrito City Council meeting because the council does not allow remote public comment. Instead, they put their concerns in writing — a reminder of how the city continues to make it harder for residents to participate in decisions that directly affect our community.

That night, the Financial Advisory Board (FAB) presented practical recommendations to improve long-term planning and budgeting discipline. These were not radical ideas. They were common-sense steps that any responsible city should adopt:

• Set aside dedicated funds for capital improvements so big projects don’t destabilize the budget.
• Allocate a set percentage (2%) of the General Fund each year for mid-year expenses, since additional costs always come up after the budget is adopted.

Despite the clear value of these proposals, the city manager opposes this, so the city council refused to vote on them. This rejection wasn’t just disappointing — it signaled once again that thoughtful, community-driven oversight is being dismissed.

The council’s handling of mid-year expenses illustrates the problem. During the meeting, Councilmember Lisa Motoyama repeatedly remarked that the council was “not surprised” by the additional costs. If that’s the case, why weren’t they included in the budget to begin with? Presenting known expenses as unexpected midway through the year erodes public confidence and exposes a pattern of being reactive rather than responsible.

Accountability cannot be optional. The FAB’s recommendations would help El Cerrito prepare for the future, avoid financial shocks, dwindling reserves and rebuild community trust. Ignoring them sends the opposite message — that leaders prefer the pretense of short-term fixes over long-term discipline.

Residents want to engage. We want transparency. We want responsible planning. But for that to happen, the city council must do two things: listen to its advisory board and open the door to remote public comment so all voices can be heard.

The FAB has done its job. It’s time for the council to do theirs.

— A concerned citizen who wasn’t allowed to speak remotely

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